Cats do not always land on their feet, but they do so most of the time due to an innate ability called the aerial righting reflex. This reflex allows cats to twist their bodies mid-air during a fall so they land feet first. Their highly flexible spine, free-floating clavicle bones, and sophisticated balance system in their inner ears enable this maneuver. However, whether a cat lands on its feet depends on factors like the height of the fall and the cat's physical condition. Falls from very low heights may not provide enough time for the cat to right itself, and cats that are overweight or have joint problems may not be able to land on their feet properly. Also, cats may land on their sides or backs in some cases, resulting in injury. So, cats are very likely—but not guaranteed—to land on their feet when they fall.
